[loud] adj [ME, fr. OE hlud; akin to OHG hlut loud, L inclutus famous, Gk klytos, Skt srnoti he hears] (bef. 12c) 1 a: marked by intensity or volume of sound b: producing a loud sound
2: clamorous, noisy
3: obtrusive or offensive in appearance or smell: obnoxious -- loud adv -- loud.ly adv syn loud, stentorian, earsplitting, raucous, strident mean marked by intensity or volume of sound. loud applies to any volume above normal and may suggest undue vehemence or obtrusiveness "loud shouts of protest". stentorian implies great power and range "an actor with a stentorian voice". earsplitting implies loudness that is physically discomforting "the earsplitting sound of a siren". raucous implies a loud harsh grating tone, esp. of voice, and may suggest rowdiness "the raucous shouts of drunken revelers". strident implies a rasping discordant but insistent quality, esp. of voice "the strident voices of hecklers".